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Find a Japan of perfect balance

Staying overnight on Koyasan, a sacred mountain for the Koyasan Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism, is like living in a traditional Japanese painting. As a guest, you stay in shukubo (temple accommodation) alongside Buddhist pilgrims. Walk the venerable grey stone pathways to collect your thoughts, perhaps visit the graveyard and its stones collared in bright coloured silks. Kneel on the floor in the paper-walled dining room for your vegetarian meal, amazingly tasty and beautifully presented.

The experience at Koyasan captures what is, for us, the true essence of Japan. For a country which stands so much for pushing technology and mankind forward, the Japanese have an ability to step outside the frenzy of modern life and almost make time stand still. From the intricate and unchanging ceremonies of the shukubo to elaborately painted Kyoto geisha, from the sacred deer of Todai-ji to the quiet national obsession with Mt Fuji, this is a country that understands the beauty of simplicity and the peace in nature.

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Why we love Japan

Stay overnight on Koya San, a sacred mountain for the Koyasan Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. We stay in shukubo (temple accommodation) alongside Buddhist pilgrims. The lodging is simple yet peaceful and the vegetarian meals are amazingly tasty and beautifully presented

The experience at Koyasan captures what is, for us, the true essence of Japan. For a country which stands so much for pushing technology and mankind forward, the Japanese have an ability to step outside the frenzy of modern life and almost make time stand still

From the intricate and unchanging ceremonies of the shukubo to elaborately painted Kyoto geisha, from the sacred deer of Todai-ji to the quiet national obsession with Mt Fuji, this is a country that understands the beauty of simplicity and the peace in nature.

Safety information

Crime levels are low. It is generally safe to walk about at night and to travel on public transport, but you should maintain the same level of vigilance as you would at home and take sensible precautions. Reports of inappropriate touching or ‘chikan’ of female passengers on commuter trains are fairly common. The police advise that you shout at the perpetrator to attract attention and ask a fellow passenger to call the train staff. The Roppongi entertainment district of Tokyo is considered a higher risk area for crime.

Everyone has the right to feel safe and secure on their trip. We don’t tolerate any form of sexual harassment at Peregrine and Geckos, either between passengers or involving our leaders or local operators. Sexual relationships (consensual or otherwise) between a leader and a passenger are unacceptable. If you ever feel another person is behaving inappropriately please inform us immediately by contacting the emergency contact number detailed in these trip notes.

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